Using the TWUniversal search tool, you can locate articles, databases, eJournals, eBooks, and video sources.

1. English 1023
Library Instruction for the Argument Paper
Susan Whitmer, Reference Librarian
TWU Libraries
Fall 2017

2. Agenda
• C.R.A.P. test
• Review elements of the argument paper
• Examine the research process
• Review sources
• Citation logic
• Survey
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3. C.R.A.P. Test
•Currency: Is the information recent enough for your topic?
•Reliability/Relevance: Where does the information come from?
•Authority: Who authored this information?
•Purpose/Point-of-view: What was the intent of the author and
how is the author connected to the information?
Source: https://libraries.mercer.edu/research-tools-help/citation-tools-help/images/PrintableCRAPtest.pdf
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4. Arguing a Position
Elements of an argument paper:
• Focused issue
• Supported position
• Effective response to opposing views
• Logical organization
Source: Axelrod, Rise B. and Charles R. Cooper. “Chapter 6: Arguing a Position.” The St. Martin’s Guide to
Writing. 11th ed. Boston: Bedford/St. Martin’s, 2016. 231. Print.
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5. Research Process
Research process review
• Find a topic
• Write an argument statement
• Focus on nouns and synonyms as search terms
Finding Tools
• TWUniversal - electronic resources
• ENG 1023 Class Page
• Government sources
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6. Fall 2017
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The Three Stages of Research Grief
1. Hard work Pleasure of the hunt
2. Frustration Satisfaction
3. Confusion Confidence

7. TWUniversal
TWUniversal
• Congressional Digest
• Electronic books
• Intelligence Squared – debates on video
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8. twu.edu/library: Locate Congressional Digest @TWUniversal
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9. Select E-Journals
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10. Type Congressional Digest in search box,
click on search
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11. Congressional Digest
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12. Select Academic Search
Complete
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13. Fall 2017
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14. Search within this publication
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15. Congressional Digest
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16. Congressional Digest
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17. Congressional Digest
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18. Locate Electronic books @ TWUniversal
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19. TWUniversal: Electronic Books
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1. 2. 3.
4.

20. Electronic books
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Sorting
options
Click icon
to view
book

21. Locate Intelligence Squared @ TWUniversal
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22. Intelligence Squared
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A
D
C
B
A. Select “phrase” from the pull-down menu
B. Type “intelligence squared” in search box
C. Select “Media/Streaming” from Resource Type pull-down menu
D. Click “Search”

23. Intelligence Squared
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Click icon
to view
video

24. Intelligence Squared
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Click on Films on demand

25. Intelligence Squared
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26. Fall 2017
ENG 1023 Worksheet Part 1: TWUniversal
1. Select one topic
2. Write a sentence expressing an opinion about your topic
3.
Locate information using suggested sources from TWUniversal:
• Congressional Digest
• Electronic Books
• Intelligence Squared
4. Fill in available citation information
5. Review your source and write notes:
• Supporting your argument
• Alternate perspectives to your argument
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27. Fall 2017
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Part 2
Searching A-Z Databases
and
Government Sources

28. Recommended Databases
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Databases Description
Credo Reference Reference Books: Almanacs,
dictionaries, encyclopedias
Issues & Controversies • Clear explanations of opposing
points of view
• Articles, chronologies,
illustrations, bibliographies
Newspaper Sources • LexisNexis
• Newspaper Source Plus
• New York Times
Opposing Viewpoints • Offers a range of perspectives on
important issues
• Articles, audio, video, national and
international news

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30. Credo Reference
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Credo Reference is a multidisciplinary reference
source that searches encyclopedias, dictionaries,
handbooks, etc.

31. Issues & Controversies
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Issues & Controversies covers current and historical
events. It is an authoritative source for factual analysis
and clear explanations of opposing points.

32. Newspaper Sources
• LexisNexis
• Newspaper Source Plus
• New York Times
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Newspaper sources include editorial opinion pieces as
well as articles.

33. Opposing Viewpoints
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Opposing Viewpoints delivers a range of perspectives on
important issues with multimedia, full-text articles, and
interactive maps.

34. Government Sources
Government Sources on the Internet
• Bureau of Labor Statistics, bls.gov
• Census.gov
• USA.gov
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35. Government sources
The Bureau of Labor Statistics, bls.gov, is a Federal agency that measures
labor market activity, working conditions, and price changes in the economy.
USA.gov is the United States government’s official web portal. USA.gov
provides access to U.S. government information and services on the web.
The United States Census Bureau, census.gov, is the agency responsible
for producing data about the American people and economy.
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36. Citations
A citation is a reference to an authoritative source.
Why cite materials used for research?
1. To build credibility, gesture of confidence
2. To build on previous research
3. To give credit to creators
4. To provide a path for future scholars
5. To avoid plagiarism
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37. Citing sources in the text
• Include author-page number citation information in the
text to acknowledge information sources
Example:
Medieval Europe was a place both of “raids, pillages,
slavery, and extortion” and of “traveling merchants,
monetary exchange, towns if not cities, and active
markets in grain” (Townsend 10).
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Author
Page
#
Source: MLA Handbook 214

38. Citation Logic
1. Each in-text citation matches an entry in the Works Cited
list.
2. Parenthetical means within parenthesis, example (MLA
Handbook 214).
3. The hanging indent:
Axelrod, Rise B., and Charles R. Cooper. The St. Martin’s
Guide to Writing. 9th ed. Boston: Bedford/St.
Martin’s, 2013. Print.
4. Practice citing a source without a guide
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39. Fall 2017
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ENG 1023 Worksheet Part 2: Databases
and Government Sources
1. Write what you now believe about your subject; rewrite/revise your
topic sentence.
2. Search A-Z database sources:
• Credo Reference
• Issues & Controversies
• Newspaper Databases
• Opposing Viewpoints
Government Sources:
• Bureau of Labor Statistics
• Census.gov
• USA.gov
3. Fill in citation information
4. Review your source and write notes:
• Supporting your argument
• Providing alternate perspectives to your argument
5.
Survey: libguides.twu.edu/ENG1023

40. Survey located at:
libguides.twu.edu/ENG1023
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41. References
Works Cited
Axelrod, Rise B., and Charles R. Cooper. The St. Martin’s Guide to
Writing. 11th ed. Boston: Bedford/St. Martin’s, 2016. Print.
Gibaldi, Joseph. MLA Handbook for Writers of Research Papers. 7th ed.
New York: Modern Language Association of America, 2009.
Print.
Whitmer, Susan. English 1023 Class Page. Texas Woman’s University,
2014. Web.
*The MLA 8th edition will be used for ENG 1023 classes in Fall 2017.
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42. Contact Information
Susan Whitmer, Reference Librarian
TWU Libraries
swhitmer@twu.edu
940-898-3739
Monday – Thursday: Blagg-Huey Library
Fridays: TWU Student Veterans Center
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